Neck and back pain

8 out of 10 people will suffer from back/neck pain. Most of these will resolve with conservative therapy. However, some is caused by herniated discs, arthritic joints, or spinal stenosis. Spinal injections are an effective, safe, and economical means for treating spinal pain which does not resolve with conservative therapy. By reducing the inflammation around discs, nerves, and joints the pain is not simply masked, but pressure on these structures is reduced, thus attenuating the source of the pain.

Some Causes of Neck and Back Pain

Whiplash is a term used to describe neck pain following an injury to the soft tissues of your neck (specifically ligaments, tendons, and muscles). This is not a medical term. Your doctor may use the more specific terms of cervical sprain, cervical strain, or hyperextension injury. Whiplash is caused by an abnormal motion or force applied to your neck that causes movement beyond the neck's normal range of motion.

Sciatica is the pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the leg. It is the result of injury to or pressure on the sciatic nerve. Sciatica is a symptom of another medical problem, not a medical condition on its own.This condition occurs when there is pressure or damage to the sciatic nerve. This is a nerve that starts in the lower spine and runs down the back of each leg. The sciatic nerve controls the muscles of the back of the knee and lower leg and provides sensation to the back of the thigh, part of the lower leg, and the sole of the foot.

This pain can vary widely. It may feel like a mild tingling, dull ache, or a burning sensation. In some cases, the pain is severe enough to make a person unable to move. The pain most often occurs on one side. Some people have sharp pain in one part of the leg or hip and numbness in other parts. The pain or numbness may also be felt on the back of the calf or on the sole of the foot.

Muscle strain is injury to muscle as a result of strenuous activity. Almost anyone can put undue pressure on muscles during the course of normal daily activities, with sudden, quick heavy lifting, during sports, or while performing work tasks. Muscle strain is sometimes referred to as muscle pull. A severe muscle strain can result in a muscle tear. The tearing of the muscle can also damage small blood vessels, causing local bleeding (bruising) and pain (caused by irritation of the nerve endings in the area). A sprain, in contrast, is an injury to ligaments.

Pinched nerves describes one type of damage or injury to a nerve or set of nerves. The injury may result from compression, constriction, or stretching. One of the most common examples of a single compressed nerve is the feeling of having a foot or hand "fall asleep." Other potential symptoms include numbness, "pins and needles" or burning sensations, and pain radiating outward from the injured area. Pinched nerves can sometimes lead to other conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tennis elbow. The extent of such injuries may vary from minor, temporary damage to a more permanent condition. Early diagnosis is important to prevent further damage or complications.

Herniated discs refer to damage to the discs in your vertebrae. The bones (vertebrae) that form the spine in your back are cushioned by small, spongy discs. When these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine and keep the spine flexible. But when a disc is damaged, it may bulge or break open. It may also be called a slipped or ruptured disc. You can have a herniated disc in any part of your spine. But most herniated discs affect the lower back lumbar spine). Some happen in the neck (cervical spine) and, more rarely, in the upper back (thoracic spine).